A Guide to Ants Pest Management In Oklahoma City
Ants are annoying pests, especially if you can see them crawling all over your food on the table. If you live in Oklahoma City and have an ant infestation in your home, you came to the right place. Here at Harmony Pest Solutions, we can help you get rid of them.
Ants are insects that belong to the Formicidae family. There are around 22,000 species of ants in the world, and the most common ant species that you can find in Oklahoma City are carpenter ants, fire ants, sugar ants, pavement ants, little black ants, and thief ants.
If you have an ant infestation in your home, you must first identify their species so you can control and get rid of them properly. The easiest way to identify the species of ants is to ask for help from a professional pest control company like Harmony Pest Solutions.
What Are the Different Ant Species That You Can Find in Oklahoma City?
Carpenter Ants
This ant can grow up to 1/2 to 5/8 inches long. They are usually black but can be red, brown, or a combination of red and black. This species is prevalent in the United States, especially in the northern states. They are known for their wood tunneling habits.
Fire Ants
Fire ants are reddish-brown and can grow up to 1/8 to 1/4 inch long. This ant species is extremely aggressive and will attack anyone or anything they consider a threat.
Sugar Ants
Sugar ants are one of the smallest ant species; they can grow up to 1 and 1/2 mm long. They have dark heads and light-colored bodies. They can be found in different states in the United States.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are brown to black and can grow up to 1/16 inch long. They are usually found nesting in cracks of pavement or sidewalks. They are also known for nesting in the soil near the foundation of a home or a structure, making them a regular invader of buildings.
Little Black Ants
Little black ants are jet black and can grow up to 1/16 inch long. They eat meats, fruits, vegetables, sugars, candies, and grease thus, they are commonly found in kitchens. They are known for nesting in wall cracks and rotten logs.
Thief Ants
Thief ants are yellow to bronze in color and can grow up to 1/32 to 1/20 inches long. They are known to create their nests in wood or soil. They are often found inside homes when searching for food. They eat meats, cheese, and greasy foods, making them a common invader of kitchens.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ants
Are ants dangerous?
Most ant species are nuisance pests, especially when they invade homes. You do not want them inside your home because they can contaminate your food by crawling on the different surfaces of your kitchen.
However, some species, such as carpenter ants, can cause structural issues to your homes because they can tunnel through wood. The red imported fire ants, on the other hand, are quite aggressive and cause painful stings which contain venom. Their venom is known to cause an allergic reaction that ranges from mild to severe.
How can I check if ants have invaded my home?
Ant infestation is easy to identify because the most obvious sign of an infestation is you can see ants crawling around your property. Some ant species may bore through the wood, so they cause small wood openings.
For example, carpenter ants leave small openings on the surface of the wood. The opening is where they expel debris that resembles sawdust. They also create nests in the ground. Red imported fire ants create mounds in the soil near the foundations of homes. These are all signs that you can keep an eye out for that tell if if ants have invaded your home.
Where can you find ants?
Ants prefer living outdoors. However, they may create their nests in the ground or wood sources depending on the species. When ants enter a home, they usually prefer nesting in locations that match their nests outdoors.
For example, carpenter ants prefer wet and damaged wood because they need moisture and access to wood. Sugar ants prefer living in wall cracks, at the back of cabinets and baseboards, or in the soil of indoor plants. Fire ants may enter through pipes of the HVAC and AC systems.
How do I get rid of an ant infestation?
Ants invade homes by the dozens, and they are quite persistent. They can create many colonies inside a home. You need a professional pest control company to deal with them so they can get rid of them completely. If you are based in Oklahoma City, you can rely on Harmony Pest Solutions for the job.
How do you prevent an ant infestation in your home?
Here are some of the tips to consider so you can prevent an ant infestation in your home.
- Cover any cracks, crevices, or holes in your home’s exterior wall or foundation.
- Cover the cracks in your home’s pavement, driveway, sidewalk, or walkways.
- Put up a barrier between your home’s foundation and the soil below.
- Cover the gaps or spaces on the wires and pipes entering your home.
- Seal the gaps under your door and check for cracks in your home’s foundation.
- Close any open vents.
- Eliminate food sources by doing the following:
- Sweep, vacuum, and wipe the floor, especially if there are food particles, crumbs, spills, and debris.
- Wipe the counter and tables regularly
- The garbage can must have a lid so the ants will not be able to enter.
- Store food items in sealed containers or inside your refrigerator.
- Immediately wash dirty dishes in the sink and remove food particles from your sink.
- Throw out the trash regularly.
- Remove old wood and lumber in your basement.
- Get rid of leaks from pipes and faucets to avoid attracting ant species that like water, such as Carpenter ants.
If you need help with an ant infestation in your home in Oklahoma City, Harmony Pest Solutions can help you out. Contact us anytime!
Are you searching for a company that offers pest control services for ants in Oklahoma City? You can check out Harmony Pest Solutions. Our services are available in areas such as Canadian County, Cleveland County, Logan County, and Mcclain County.
If you are interested to hire us for pest control services, please reach out to us by calling us at (405) 760-7204 or sending an email at harmonypestsolutionsokc@gmail.com. We are located at 16307 Sonoma Park Drive, Suite #6 Edmond, OK 73013. You can rely on Harmony Pest Solutions for all your pest control needs, so reach out to us today!